"I applaud the Pennsylvania General Assembly for voting to reauthorize Pennsylvania's CHIP program but in order to provide benefits to the more than 175,000 children enrolled, Congress must take action immediately". The program provides health insurance to children and pregnant women from low-income families that make just enough to be above the cut-off for Medicaid.

According to the Associated Press, several states running out of CHIP funds will now be able to access existing, unused federal dollars under the stopgap measure. They've accused Republicans of trying to use health insurance program as a bargaining chip in year-end spending negotiations.

According to DPHHS Spokesperson Jon Ebelt, Montana has enough unspent federal funding to continue the CHIP program through January 31.

Ohio Gov. John Kasich joined 11 other governors from both parties Tuesday to plead with Congress to keep health coverage for almost 220,000 Ohio children and millions more across the country.

Principals on both sides acknowledge they'll be a resolution to CHIP in upcoming weeks. Hatch staffers, Matheson said, were attentive and promised to deliver the message to the Washington, D.C. office.